Comments on: Project Garage: BMW Airhead Part 1 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:42:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Ron H. http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-625188 Ron H. Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:47:53 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-625188 Hey Fred, I am trying to get a 79 R100T going as well. Would love to see your pics. You can check mine out at bmwmoa.org in forums and do a search for Does this Airhead make me an Airhead" Hey Fred,
I am trying to get a 79 R100T going as well. Would love to see your pics. You can check mine out at bmwmoa.org in forums and do a search for Does this Airhead make me an Airhead”

]]> By: Darkstar N.H.,USA http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-278341 Darkstar N.H.,USA Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:41:01 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-278341 Hi, I bought a 1979 R100T last summer with 24k miles on the clock. I've been doing a rod bearings on up resto job on it this winter. Old bearings looked very good but put new cause I was there. Spines not looked at for 29 years. They turned out to be fine but dry. I've got to get it in gear to finnish up shortly as warm riding days are here shortly. Got's to go pump out the cellar. Don't want that beautiful BMW to get wet! I got pictures for anyone interested. Let me know. Happy puttering! PUTT,PUTT,PUTT,PUTT,PUTT! Fred R. Hi,
I bought a 1979 R100T last summer with 24k miles on the clock.
I’ve been doing a rod bearings on up resto job on it this winter.
Old bearings looked very good but put new cause I was there.
Spines not looked at for 29 years.
They turned out to be fine but dry.
I’ve got to get it in gear to finnish up shortly as warm riding days are here shortly.
Got’s to go pump out the cellar.
Don’t want that beautiful BMW to get wet!
I got pictures for anyone interested.
Let me know.
Happy puttering!
PUTT,PUTT,PUTT,PUTT,PUTT!

Fred R.

]]> By: Rocky McCumber http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-155800 Rocky McCumber Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:41:15 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-155800 Maybe it is time to offload this project to ...well.....ME??? I have done 2 others from ground up....What do you think?? Rocky McCumber Reno, NV Maybe it is time to offload this project to …well…..ME??? I have done 2 others from ground up….What do you think??

Rocky McCumber
Reno, NV

]]> By: luthier58 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-103413 luthier58 Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:19:34 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-103413 My wife would point out that I have no room to talk, but it would be nice to get back to this project. Please? My wife would point out that I have no room to talk, but it would be nice to get back to this project.

Please?

]]> By: Bill of WI http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-96715 Bill of WI Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:53:19 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-96715 YOU STARTED THIS A YEAR !!!! AGO??? jaysusmerrynjoesuf !!!! Even I could do....sigh.... how's about moving along, here, Buddy? :) YOU STARTED THIS A YEAR !!!! AGO???

jaysusmerrynjoesuf !!!!

Even I could do….sigh….

how’s about moving along, here, Buddy?

:)

]]> By: SlowJoeCrow http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-90603 SlowJoeCrow Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:07:18 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-90603 I have a 78 R100S, successor to the R90S so I've done quite a bit on these. The seat you have is actually the standard seat for an R90/6 since these were the basic touring model. The seats with the cowling were only standard on the S, RS, and RT models in the 70s. Also the lathed down socket in the toolkit is probably a 27mm used to torque the swing arm bearing locknuts. The clearance is very tight, but the torque is low. I recommend Eurotech for general parts and also Rocky Point Cycle for upgrades, he carries Boyer Bransden electronic ignitions, Epco exhausts and stainless fastener kits. I have a 78 R100S, successor to the R90S so I’ve done quite a bit on these. The seat you have is actually the standard seat for an R90/6 since these were the basic touring model. The seats with the cowling were only standard on the S, RS, and RT models in the 70s. Also the lathed down socket in the toolkit is probably a 27mm used to torque the swing arm bearing locknuts. The clearance is very tight, but the torque is low. I recommend Eurotech for general parts and also Rocky Point Cycle for upgrades, he carries Boyer Bransden electronic ignitions, Epco exhausts and stainless fastener kits.

]]> By: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Back In The Day: A Year Ago This Week On Toolmonger http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-88809 Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Back In The Day: A Year Ago This Week On Toolmonger Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:19:04 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-88809 [...] We also wrote about the first step of a project that’s still on hold: our BMW Airhead.  We launched into this with the best of intentions, but other more interesting projects took over, and the poor Bimmer still sits in our storage site in pieces.  We’ll get back to it one day. [...] [...] We also wrote about the first step of a project that’s still on hold: our BMW Airhead.  We launched into this with the best of intentions, but other more interesting projects took over, and the poor Bimmer still sits in our storage site in pieces.  We’ll get back to it one day. [...]

]]> By: Dominic http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-82881 Dominic Sun, 24 Jun 2007 10:25:58 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-82881 You've picked a good project. All you and the other posters intend to do is correct, and yes the BMs are the most covered marque on the web - am doing an R65 mono at the moment. The only thing you will have to watch for is email responses to parts enquiries. Bob's BMW are great for parts, prices and phone service (when you can get through, but there email response (to me in Australia at least ) has been non-existent. Motorworks & Motobins in the UK are great and so is Munich Motorcycles here in Perth, Australia are good too. I can also recommend the POR 15 products. My tank looked OK but after sloshing some water around after cleaning the taps, a LOT of the tank paint came out...My advice though with the PORs tank relining kit is to either purchase the kit and a second tin of the paint or get each of the component products, picemeal and buy larger sizes. I found the paint to have a very low viscosity ie too thick and it didn't cover all the internal of the tank. Even used the left over from the first attempt and still missed bits. The second small tin cost almost as much as the kit. Finally don't forget to check BMW parts availability - pannier bits are nla in Oz, and Real OEM for the parts pics. Regards Dominic You’ve picked a good project. All you and the other posters intend to do is correct, and yes the BMs are the most covered marque on the web - am doing an R65 mono at the moment. The only thing you will have to watch for is email responses to parts enquiries. Bob’s BMW are great for parts, prices and phone service (when you can get through, but there email response (to me in Australia at least ) has been non-existent. Motorworks & Motobins in the UK are great and so is Munich Motorcycles here in Perth, Australia are good too. I can also recommend the POR 15 products. My tank looked OK but after sloshing some water around after cleaning the taps, a LOT of the tank paint came out…My advice though with the PORs tank relining kit is to either purchase the kit and a second tin of the paint or get each of the component products, picemeal and buy larger sizes. I found the paint to have a very low viscosity ie too thick and it didn’t cover all the internal of the tank. Even used the left over from the first attempt and still missed bits. The second small tin cost almost as much as the kit. Finally don’t forget to check BMW parts availability - pannier bits are nla in Oz, and Real OEM for the parts pics.
Regards

Dominic

]]> By: MikeR http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-29063 MikeR Sun, 04 Mar 2007 15:51:29 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-29063 Cool bike, any updates on this project? Cool bike, any updates on this project?

]]> By: MIKE http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-28896 MIKE Sun, 04 Mar 2007 07:48:10 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-28896 don't even screw around trying to repair the wiring harness. OEM replacements are readily available and inexpensive. Check out Blue Moon Cycle, Bob's BMW, and Eurotech online catalogs. You can then shop around for best pricing. One of the advantages of working on the Beemer is BMW's continued support for their older models and the availability of new parts rather than NOS, salvage, or plain unobtanium. Don't be too hasty in pitching the gas tank. Check out the POR15 product line for restoration products. You will find that airhead repair is probably the most thoroughly documented motorcycle resource on the web. Mike frostbite falls, MN don’t even screw around trying to repair the wiring harness. OEM replacements are readily available and inexpensive. Check out Blue Moon Cycle, Bob’s BMW, and Eurotech online catalogs. You can then shop around for best pricing.

One of the advantages of working on the Beemer is BMW’s continued support for their older models and the availability of new parts rather than NOS, salvage, or plain unobtanium.

Don’t be too hasty in pitching the gas tank. Check out the POR15 product line for restoration products.

You will find that airhead repair is probably the most thoroughly documented motorcycle resource on the web.

Mike
frostbite falls, MN

]]> By: Josh http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-7283 Josh Thu, 14 Dec 2006 17:57:06 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-7283 Brad, It depends. I was surprised how easily the transmission is to remove from these bikes. he 'Boxerworks' forum is a great place to get questions like this answered. http://www.boxerworks.com/phorum/list.php?f=1 It is a friendly place, just don't ask which oil to use. I have been through some interesting repairs with their help. Josh Brad,

It depends.

I was surprised how easily the transmission is to remove from these bikes. he ‘Boxerworks’ forum is a great place to get questions like this answered.

http://www.boxerworks.com/phorum/list.php?f=1

It is a friendly place, just don’t ask which oil to use. I have been through some interesting repairs with their help.

Josh

]]> By: Brad Belk http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-5395 Brad Belk Thu, 30 Nov 2006 22:35:50 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-5395 I am at about the same point in the same project on a 1975 R90 and I am very interested in the outcome of your project. I drove it home and while it was running, it was very rough. Its just in specs for compression. I have a couple thousand in parts coming and I have not gone into the motor yet. My rough plan is to replace the exhaust system, cables, shocks, switches, fork seals and get it running. Once its running, I will make decisions on the engine work. Here is my question. How quickly will the transmission splines tear up if they need grease. I was thinking of putting that check off until later. Brad I am at about the same point in the same project on a 1975 R90 and I am very interested in the outcome of your project. I drove it home and while it was running, it was very rough. Its just in specs for compression. I have a couple thousand in parts coming and I have not gone into the motor yet. My rough plan is to replace the exhaust system, cables, shocks, switches, fork seals and get it running. Once its running, I will make decisions on the engine work.

Here is my question. How quickly will the transmission splines tear up if they need grease.

I was thinking of putting that check off until later.

Brad

]]> By: Paul http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-2673 Paul Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:36:47 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-2673 I'd go with the BMW. There were a lot more of them made and more currently in running condition. Used parts are easier to find and new parts are still available to some degree. The BMW is going to be more expensive, but if you break down in Montana you'll have some hope of finding parts. For the Guzzi I doubt you will find any dealer support at all. There are 5 BMW dealers in my area and 2 Guzzi dealers, and this is in the SF bay area. Plus, there are a lot more after market acessories available for the BMW. And more folks who know something about fixing them. I live on one of the most popular motorcycleing roads in the Bay Area (Highway 9) and the ratio of old BMW's to Guzzis is about 25 to 1 Paul Schwartz 74 R90S (black and silver) I’d go with the BMW. There were a lot more of them made and more currently in running condition. Used parts are easier to find and new parts are still available to some degree.

The BMW is going to be more expensive, but if you break down in Montana you’ll have some hope of finding parts. For the Guzzi I doubt you will find any dealer support at all. There are 5 BMW dealers in my area and 2 Guzzi dealers, and this is in the SF bay area.

Plus, there are a lot more after market acessories available for the BMW. And more folks who know something about fixing them.

I live on one of the most popular motorcycleing roads in the Bay Area (Highway 9) and the ratio of old BMW’s to Guzzis is about 25 to 1

Paul Schwartz
74 R90S (black and silver)

]]> By: Eugene Halligan http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-811 Eugene Halligan Fri, 01 Sep 2006 12:03:18 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2006/07/06/project-garage-bmw-airhead-part-1/#comment-811 Very interesting project. I'm a wannabe bike spanner jockey and will follow your project with interest. Trying to decide on an old BMW airhead (75-100) or an old Guzzi (T-750, Le-Mans or some 'Tonti') as a worthy project to learn on and have as a second bike for scrathing around on. Your thoughts? Very interesting project.

I’m a wannabe bike spanner jockey and will follow your project with interest.

Trying to decide on an old BMW airhead (75-100) or an old Guzzi (T-750, Le-Mans or some ‘Tonti’) as a worthy project to learn on and have as a second bike for scrathing around on.

Your thoughts?

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